The Exeter fans had barely got themselves settled on the Big Bank terrace before Salomon Rondon scored right in front of them after 70 seconds.

It certainly helped to settle Alan Pardew down. It's not as if pressure was building on Pardew but West Brom arrived in Exeter on Saturday yet to win a game under his watch.

We probably should all have seen this one coming, though. Pardew's last experience of the FA Cup was at Wembley in the final as Crystal Palace manager in 2016. Who could forget his little jig on the touchline when Jason Puncheon scored with 12 minutes of normal time to go? The rest, of course, is history.

Alan Pardew oversaw his first win as West Bromwich Albiom manager on Saturday afternoon

Salomon Rondon (right) and Jay Rodriguez scored in a 2-0 win at Exeter in the FA Cup's last 64

While there was no jig when Rondon finished past goalkeeper Christy Pym to score the quickest goal in all competitions this season, there was a knowing glance towards assistant John Carver.

Perhaps Pardew had set himself up for a fall in the pre-match press conference when he said he was surprised that opposite number Paul Tisdale hadn't moved on from Exeter after just under 12 years in charge.

But any hope from a neutral perspective of a Cup upset was effectively gone when Jay Rodriguez added a second with just 25 minutes played. Again, Pardew didn't go berserk.

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While some have tipped West Brom to fight against relegation, the 56-year-old does have a number of experienced professionals at his disposal to help provide a strong foundation. Gareth McAuley, Gareth Barry and Grzegorz Krychowiak are three players he can rely on.

Exeter's Jordan Tillson, a defender by trade, was up against Barry. The 24-year-old did well at times but never had Barry panicking or unsettled.

Tillson was almost too polite in his approach. Exeter's fans reflected that. Not much more than a murmur from them after going 2-0 down.

Pardew looked relaxed in the dugout as his Baggies side ended their 21-game winless streak

West Brom star Gareth Barry, who was congratulated by Pardew at full time, bossed midfield

The West Brom fans to the left of the press box in the Main Stand — the other stand that is still standing here — were in a buoyant mood. The 363 who had made the trip south were enjoying watching their side away... for once.

As was Pardew. Out he walked for the second half. He turned to the West Brom fans, gave a quick smile and carried on to the away dugout.

Forty-five minutes away from the fourth round. Who knows what he said to his players at the break, but they did seem a little complacent for parts of the second period.

Hiram Boateng's free-kick into the West Brom box was thankfully too heavy for Dan Seaborne to get to at the back post. A little spike in the heart rate maybe but no lasting anxiety for Pardew who was by now leaning against his dugout.

Life could have been made easier when Hal Robson-Kanu was presented with two generous chances to add a third and a fourth only for him to waste both.

Forget the scoreline, forget that Exeter are in League Two and forget that he had made only four changes from the side that lost to West Ham. Pardew has his first win and the way he applauded the away fans at full-time showed you, for now, that's all that matters.

Pardew made four changes after the West Ham loss, with Jake Livermore starting on the bench